GORE COURT 0 - 0 GRAVESHAM

The 1st half saw a 50/50 battle in midfield with Chris Mabbett and Ollie Merrony doing their best to prevent Gravesham control the possession. Although there weren’t many chances in the first-half Gore Court found an opening when Marcus Underdown and Harry Stiles ripped apart the opposing defence with great link up play but unfortunately Stiles’ shot was well saved by the goalie. Gravesham occasionally threatened but as usual goalkeeper Matt Kennedy had a fine game and stopped any shots that came his way.

Gore Court started brighter in the 2nd half, Harry Todd and then Harry Stiles both had shots saved by the keeper and the returning Doug Ferguson put in a man-of-the-match performance at centre-back by putting in a number of well-timed challenges to stop the Gravesham forwards. Gore Court again came agonisingly close when Rob Hawkes’ first time shot cannoned off the post. In the closing stages of the game Underdown played in Mabbett who found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper but unfortunately he couldn’t get his shot away in time and the defence managed to clear the ball away.

GORE COURT 3 - 1 BBHC

Gore Court ended their winless streak with a comfortable win against an experienced BBHC side. The first half saw Gore Court dominate possession with Harry Stiles controlling the midfield. However numerous chances were missed, Rob Hawkes was stopped twice by the keeper and a mazy run from Marcus Underdown nearly resulted in an opener but his shot trickled past the post. Any rare threat from the opponents was dealt with well by centre-back paring Simon Orr and Chris Mabbett.

/With the game there for the taking Gore Court adapted a more attacking formation and this nearly produced the goods when Hawkes narrowly missed and debutant Nick Orr had a shot hit the post. BBHC then took the lead, but this just inspired Gore Court to finally find the goal scoring touch. Hawkes then scored one of his harder chances with a reverse-stick finish, straight from the push-back Gore Court won back the ball and scored through Conrad Chamberlain. The third came near the end when a short-corner routine resulted in Stiles’ flick rebound off the bar but the ball was eventually followed in to make it 3-1.

On another day it could’ve been a rugby score but Gore Court were glad to leave this feisty encounter with 3 points against a defensive BBHC side.

GORE COURT 2 - 2 MARDEN RUSSETS

Another spirited fight back meant that Gore Court were able to snatch a point and remain in the chasing-pack for promotion. The first half was evenly contested with both sides restricted to a couple of opportunities each. The centre-back paring of Max Kemsely and Chris Orr kept the lively opposition forwards quiet, however a moment of madness in the Gore Court D allowed Marden to take the lead. Marcus Underdown had a goal-bound shot blocked and Ed Bishop also went close. Some excellent tackling from Ollie Merrony, Conrad Chamberlain and Nick Orr meant that Marden were unable to build on their lead.

The message at half-time was to play at a higher tempo and move the ball a lot quicker. Gore Court came straight out the traps from the restart when Underdown used the self-pass rule from the push-back, dribbling it up to the opposition D but unfortunately his pass to Harry Stiles was intercepted where he would’ve found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper. The high-pressure exerted when Gore Court were defending forced Marden into many mistakes and this allowed Bishop and Stiles to find openings in the opposition defence. However Marden went into a 2-goal lead with a smart move down the right. But Gore Court didn’t let their heads drop; with 10 minutes left Gore Court pulled a goal back through Rob Hawkes. There was then a barrage of attack on Marden’s goal and eventually the equalizer was found when a goal-mouth scramble saw a flick cleared off the line to Hawkes who’s shot was directed goal wards by Underdown and despite the best efforts from the defenders the ball crept over the line to spark wild celebrations. There was then a massive protest from the Marden defenders who felt the ball didn’t cross the line but umpire Paul Howells stuck by his decision and the points were shared.

The determination shown by Gore Court was brilliant and even the experienced players from Marden were quick to congratulate us after the game. The 5XI are in a solid position going into the second half of the season. If the unbeaten run continues then promotion is a strong possibility.